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I've been to 2 different bike shops (both w/ good reputations, sell good quality gear), and have gotten different answers as to why my shifting is less-than-desireable.

1 shop told me that a road bike chain needs replacement every 1-2k miles. Another first told me that the problem would clear up w/ just a tune-up.

FWIW, the problem is that I get clacking sometimes when I shift the rear cassette, and also shifting between the 2 front gears, the chain pops off (about once every 60 miles or so- enough to be really annoying).

FWIW 2, the bike is never ridden in the rain, and here in Virginia, we really don't see dry & dusty conditions.

FWIW 3, The bike itself is a 1997 Bianchi CDI which, before the past couple of months, had only been ridden about 300(?) miles. I am the original owner (I now ride about 240-ish miles/month since Oct. 2006). I do know enough to not cross-thread the gears, i.e., small gear on small gear.

Thanx in advance- but please don't get too technical, I'm rather new to all of the terms!

I've been to 2 different bike shops (both w/ good reputations, sell good quality gear), and have gotten different answers as to why my shifting is less-than-desireable.

1 shop told me that a road bike chain needs replacement every 1-2k miles. Another first told me that the problem would clear up w/ just a tune-up.

FWIW, the problem is that I get clacking sometimes when I shift the rear cassette, and also shifting between the 2 front gears, the chain pops off (about once every 60 miles or so- enough to be really annoying).

FWIW 2, the bike is never ridden in the rain, and here in Virginia, we really don't see dry & dusty conditions.

FWIW 3, The bike itself is a 1997 Bianchi CDI which, before the past couple of months, had only been ridden about 300(?) miles. I am the original owner (I now ride about 240-ish miles/month since Oct. 2006). I do know enough to not cross-thread the gears, i.e., small gear on small gear.

Thanx in advance- but please don't get too technical, I'm rather new to all of the terms!

The great thing about determining chain wear is that you don't need to know the mileage on the chain, the time on the chain, and you don't need an LBS' advice. All you need is a ruler..............Measure from the center of the pins. Over a span of 12 full links, a brand new chain will measure 12". Again, measuring from the center of the pins, when a chain is elongated to the point that it reaches 12 1/16" over a span of 12 full links, it's time to replace the chain. It's as simple as that. If you do this, the life of your cassette or freewheel cogs as well as your chainrings will be increased significantly-

Your chain seems to be 10 years old. There can be links that do not bend freely because of corrosion or grime. Just buy and install a new chain, it's cheap. You probably need to oil your derailleurs and adjust the limits on them.

I get about 5000 miles out of my chains when they wear out to 12-1/16". It's really not a matter of time or mileage, but how worn it is. Most people get less than 3000 miles. I've heard of 10,000 miles as well.

I guess what I was looking for most of all was confirmation that a shop isn't lying to me if it tells me that I'm not going to get more than 2k out of a chain.

The shop is lying to you becaue they have NO way of knowing what the lifespan of a chain maybe. There is no way they can tell what gears you're riding and through what conditions and how long your maintenance cycle is going to be.

Nobody can answer this question, they can only give you a ballpark figure - it's up to YOU to check the chain wear regularly then note to yourself what number that may be so you have a future comparison.